£130,000 of grants awarded to Shropshire businesses

The Shropshire and Herefordshire Business Enterprise Fund has awarded £130,000 of grants to 34 businesses, creating 29 jobs and nine new businesses. 

The Business Enterprise Fund has £1.1m to support new and existing businesses within the two local administrative areas.  £870,000 remains unallocated and bidding rounds are being held regularly until December 2013. 

Match-funded grants are available of up to £1,500 for new and young businesses less than nine months old, and up to £5,000 for more established businesses.  The next round of the fund closes on Tuesday 26 June 2012. 

One local business applied to the fund on 30 April 2012 to enable them to buy a wood-fired oven for their bakery.  After a successful grant application they bought the oven in time to attend the Shrewsbury Show on 26 May 2012. 

Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth and prosperity, said: 

“This is a great fund which can really help existing businesses or people wishing to start a business, especially in this current economic climate. 

“Although £130,000 has already been used to support local businesses, more is available.” 

To find out more about the support on offer, people can contact Shropshire Council on 01743 252596 or visit shropshire.gov.uk/sbef.